2 hours ago
Last Updated:November 05, 2025, 21:38 IST
The US Air Force launched an unarmed Minuteman III missile as Trump suggested possible nuclear tests amid concerns over China, Russia, North Korea, and Pakistan.
An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile lifts off during an operational test on November 5, 2025, from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. (IMAGE: US SPACE FORCE)
The US Air Force conducted a routine test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, even as US President Donald Trump signalled that Washington may resume nuclear testing claiming on several occasions that China, Russia, North Korea and Pakistan have been conducting underground tests.
Only North Korea has carried out a nuclear test explosion in the 21st century, the last one in 2017.
The test, designated Glory Trip 254, was conducted to verify the missile system’s performance and gather data to ensure the continued accuracy and reliability of the US ICBM force, the US Space Force said in a release.
The United States’ nuclear triad is made up of three interconnected components — land, sea and air — that together ensure its nuclear deterrent can survive and respond under any circumstances.
The land-based leg consists of LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), controlled by the US Air Force Global Strike Command and housed in underground silos across Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota. Each missile can carry a single nuclear warhead and has a range of roughly 13,000 kilometres. The Minuteman III, which entered service in the 1970s, will eventually be replaced by the LGM-35A Sentinel, beginning in the early 2030s.
“GT 254 is not just a launch – it’s a comprehensive assessment to verify and validate the ICBM system’s ability to perform its critical mission," said Lieutenant Colonel Karrie Wray said in a statement released by the US Space Force. “The data collected during the test is invaluable in ensuring the continued reliability and accuracy of the ICBM weapon system."
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has covered se...Read More
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has covered se...
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Location :
Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
First Published:
November 05, 2025, 21:32 IST
News world US Air Force Test-Launches Minuteman III ICBM Amid Trump’s Call To Restart Nuclear Testing
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